# Chilean Oscar-winning film-maker Sebastián Lelio dies at 52

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/sebastian-lelio-director-of-a-fantastic-woman-and-gloria-dies-aged-52/
- Published: 2026-11-06T19:23:24+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-06T19:50:12+00:00
- Original publisher: The Guardian (publisher lean: Left)
- Original article: https://www.theguardian.com/film/2026/nov/06/sebastian-lelio-chilean-director-dies
- Topics: World

## Key points

- Sebastián Lelio has died aged 52.
- *A Fantastic Woman* was the first Chilean Oscar winner for best international feature.
- His final film, *The Wave*, premiered at Cannes in 2025.

## Summary

Chilean film-maker Sebastián Lelio has died aged 52, his partner Amalia Kassai announced on Instagram. Best known for the Oscar-winning *A Fantastic Woman*, he made films that brought Chilean stories and questions of gender identity to international audiences.

Born in Argentina, Lelio moved to Chile as a toddler and trained in film after briefly studying journalism. His 2013 drama *Gloria* was his international breakthrough, followed by *A Fantastic Woman*, the first Chilean film to win the Oscar for best international feature. His English-language films included *Disobedience*, *Gloria Bell* and *The Wonder*; his final film, *The Wave*, premiered at Cannes in 2025.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.